Asymptomatic Spontaneous Cerebral Emboli Predict Cognitive and Functional Decline in Dementia

Carbon Monoxide and Iron Modulate Plasmatic Coagulation in Alzheimer’s disease

“…When our data are considered as a whole, CO and iron enhanced coagulation could play a role in spontaneous cerebral embolus formation in the setting of AD as documented by previous ultrasonic investigations [11,12]. Further, when coupled with normal or accelerated fibrinolysis, it is possible that microembolic or in situ thrombus formation within the brain occurs causing ischemic damage, but with timely lysis preventing large, clinically detectable neurologic defects.…”

“…However, inhibition of Hmox in a murine model of AD involving a double transgenic mouse (APP swe /PS1 E9 ) significantly diminished the behavioral deficits and neuropathological changes over time compared to mice not administered a Hmox inhibitor [24]. When all these data are considered as a whole, Hmox enhanced coagulation could play a role in spontaneous thrombus formation not just in the peripheral circulation as documented by previous ultrasonic investigations [11,12], but perhaps more regionally (and intensely) in the microcirculation of the brain itself.…”

“…Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major source of morbidity and mortality for millions of people worldwide, and intense investigation has led to multiple etiological constructs contributing to AD [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. In addition to the recently reviewed, original 'amyloid cascade hypothesis' [1], the development and progression of AD have been associated with viral infection [2], vascular damage from pulse pressure [3], regional deposition of metals, such as iron, resulting in oxidant injury [4][5][6][7][8], metabolic syndrome and morbid obesity [8][9][10], and long term exposure to spontaneous cerebral microemboli [11,12].…”

“…In addition to the recently reviewed, original 'amyloid cascade hypothesis' [1], the development and progression of AD have been associated with viral infection [2], vascular damage from pulse pressure [3], regional deposition of metals, such as iron, resulting in oxidant injury [4][5][6][7][8], metabolic syndrome and morbid obesity [8][9][10], and long term exposure to spontaneous cerebral microemboli [11,12]. Of these various paradigms, the notion that spontaneous emboli, most likely due to systemic hypercoagulability, is of particular interest.…”

Evaluation of aging vs dementia by means of neurosonology

“…This investigation once again pointed out the important role of neurosonology as a diagnostic tool for detecting patients with cognitive impairment who may benefit by treating microemboli and thus postpone progression of mild cognitive impairment into the definitive dementia [47].…”